1024 Associations Of Low Back Pain And Sleep Among Nursing Staff

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Nursing is one of the top occupations suffering musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain (LBP). Nursing staff also experience short and disturbed sleep. Although there is a known relationship between pain and sleep, the specific associations between different aspects of LBP (e.g., duration, frequency, intensity) and sleep have not been studied. The objective of this study is to examine different aspects of LBP and their cross-sectional associations with sleep among nursing staff. Methods Online Qualtrics surveys were distributed among nurses and nursing assistants at a community hospital in the northeast U.S. LBP was assessed in terms of duration, frequency, intensity, and intensity change from before to after the work shift. Sleep duration and disturbances were assessed with validated scales. Results Among the 541 participants (94% female; age 43±13y), more than a third reported short sleep duration (≤6hrs/day; 38%) or sleep disturbances (38%), and more than half (60%) reported LBP in the past 6 months. Among those with LBP, 82% had ongoing pain for at least 6 months; 44% had ongoing pain for at least half the days in the past 6 months; 39% had LBP intensity ≥4 out of 10; and 79% reported post-shift LBP intensity increased of at least 1 level. Short sleep duration was associated with ongoing LBP for at least half the days in the past 6 months, intensity ≥4, and post-shift LBP intensity increase. Sleep disturbances were associated with prevalent LBP and intensity ≥4. Conclusion Nursing staff reported a high prevalence of LBP as well as short and disturbed sleep. Overall, poor sleep was associated with higher LBP prevalence, frequency, intensity, and post-shift increase. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the causal directions of these relationships. Workplace interventions should address the widespread problems of LBP and sleep deficiency of nursing staff. Support Drs. Yuan Zhang and Jeanne F. Duffy were supported by NIH grant R01 AG044416.